Identification and Synthesis of a Macrolide as an Anti-aphrodisiac Pheromone from Males of Heliconius erato phyllis.

Investigation of the contents of the scent glands of the heliconiine butterfly Heliconius erato phyllis via gas chromatography/electroantennography revealed an unprecedented active compound. The males transfer this compound to females during mating. The structure of (2R,6E,10R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-undecen-10-olide, a derivative of geranylacetone, was proposed on the basis of infrared and mass spectrometry spectra and microderivatization and confirmed by racemic and stereoselective syntheses. Bioassays with the synthetic macrolide showed the repellency of this compound, termed phyllisolide, when applied to scent glands of females, identifying it as an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone.

Efficacy and Safety of Common Ingredients in Aphrodisiacs Used for Erectile Dysfunction: A Review.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to attain or sustain an erection for sexual intercourse. Affected men endorse difficulties with intimacy and feelings of guilt and shame. Although medical treatments are available, patients are reluctant to discuss ED with physicians and often use dietary supplements to attempt to treat their ED. As such, there is a need to better understand the effects of ingredients used in nutraceuticals for ED treatment. OBJECTIVES: To summarize the literature on the efficacy and safety of the most common ingredients used in ED supplements. METHODS: 10 of the most common ingredients in ED supplements were reviewed using PubMed-indexed literature to assess their efficacy and safety in treating ED. Key findings were summarized to include historical use, active ingredients, prior animal studies, human studies, and toxicity. RESULTS: Nutraceuticals used in ED treatment include a variety of ingredients. Although L-arginine is a safe supplement with clinical data supporting improved erectile function, limited data exist on the efficacy of other ingredients in the treatment of ED. CONCLUSION: Despite the growing use of supplements for treatment of sexual dysfunction, ED supplements remain poorly studied, with limited data demonstrating efficacy of individual ingredients. Further study is required to definitively determine the efficacy of nutraceuticals in ED treatment. Srivatsav A, Balasubramanian A, Pathak UI, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Common Ingredients in Aphrodisiacs Used for Erectile Dysfunction: A Review. J Sex Med 2020;8:431-442.

Abutilon pannosum stem bark enhances the aphrodisiac activities and spermatogenesis in rat.

Abutilon pannosum (Forst.f.) Schlecht. is used for male sexual performance. In this study, we have investigated aphrodisiac potential of A. pannosum stem bark methanol extract (APM) in rat. Male rats were administered with APM (400 mg/kg) on daily basis for 5, 10 and 15 days. Time interval for mount latency, intromission latency and post-ejaculatory interval was decreased (p < .05) while time of ejaculatory latency, mount frequency, intromission frequency and ejaculatory frequency after 15 days were (p < .05) enhanced as compared to control rats. APM also increased (p < .05) penile erection index, copulatory rate and mount bout against control rats. Total count of spermatozoa was nonsignificantly increased whereas per cent of live spermatozoa and motile spermatozoa were increased (p < .05) in APM treated group after 10 and 15 days. Weight of testes, seminal vesicle, prostate and epididymis, and level of testosterone in serum increased (p < .05) after 10 and 15 days of APM administration to rat. Qualitative characterisation of APM indicated existence of alkaloids, terpenoids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and sterols. Results of this study indicated aphrodisiac potential of A. pannosum in rat and may be used to enhance sexual performance in human.

Toxicity Evaluation of Anacardium occidentale, the Potential Aphrodisiac Herb.

Anacardium occidentale L. leaf demonstrates sexual enhancement effect. Therefore, it can be used as the potential supplement and functional ingredient. However, the ethanolic leaf extract of this plant is a modified form of traditional application and the toxicity evaluation is required. To assess cytotoxicity of the extract, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with A. occidentale leaf extract in the concentration range between 0.625 and 10 mg/mL. Our results showed that the extract showed more than 90% cell viability at the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL after 24-hour exposure. To assure the consumption safety, the acute and subchronic toxicity must be studied. Acute toxicity showed that the extract is safe even at the highest dose of 2 g/kg in both sexes of Wistar rats. No changes in behavior, physiology, gross pathology, and histology were observed. To determine the subchronic toxicity of extract, both sexes of Wistar rats were orally given the extract at doses of 20, 100, and 500 mg/kg once daily for 90 days. No changes in body weight, food, and water intake, motor coordination, behavior, and mental alertness were observed. The significant reduction of white blood cell, platelet, and cholesterol together with increase in MCHC was observed in male rats. The reductions of white blood cell and platelet together with the elevations of hemoglobin and hematocrit were also observed in female rats. However, all changes were in normal range. The current results revealed that an ethanolic extract of A. occidentale leaf was well tolerated via oral consumption up to dose of 500 mg/kg BW for 90 days and did not produce any toxicity. Our in vitro cytotoxicity test also confirmed this safety.

Male sexual enhancers from the Peruvian Amazon.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Selected Peruvian Amazon plants are macerated into sugar cane distillates to prepare alcoholic beverages used to improve male sexual performance. The tree bark from Campsiandra angustifolia Spruce ex Benth (Fabaceae), Swartzia polyphylla DC (Fabaceae), Minquartia guianensis Aubl. (Olacaceae) and Thynantus panurensis (Bureau) Sandwith (Bignoniaceae) usually are used as crude drugs in mixtures of several ingredients. AIM OF STUDY: Describe the chemical composition of the most traded traditional male enhancer beverages, namely "Levántate Lazaro" and "Siete veces sin sacarla", and their single crude drug constituents, as well as their inhibitory activity towards the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5. The presence of pro-sexual drugs such as Sildenafil® and derivatives was assessed in the samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single plant constituents and the preparation mixtures were purchased in the Mercado Belen (Iquitos, Peru). Chemical profiling was carried out by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. The extracts were assessed for phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition. The occurrence of pro-sexual drugs was determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. RESULTS: Chemical profiling allowed the identification of condensed tannins as the main constituents of C. angustifolia and S. polyphylla, hydrolysable tannins for M. guianensis, and C-glycosides for T. panurensis. The traditional preparations showed similar composition compared to the crude drugs. At 200 µg/mL, the traditional preparation "Levántate Lázaro" and "Siete veces sin sacarla" inhibited the phosphodiesterase-5 by 49.88% and 27.90%, respectively. No adulterations with pro-sexual drugs were found in the samples. From the crude drugs, low effect was found for the extracts of S. polyphylla and T. panurensis and high activity for C. angustifolia which inhibited the enzyme by 89.37% and 81.32% at 200 and 100 µg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION: The traditional preparations used to improve sexual performance in the Peruvian Amazon showed activity as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. The most active ingredient of the traditional preparations was C. angustifolia, with some contribution from T. panurensis. These results encourage additional studies, including animal models to confirm the male enhancer effect of the preparations.

Piper auritum Kunth (Piperaceae) improves the sexual performance of sluggish male rats through enhancing ejaculation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Piper auritum Kunth is employed as an aphrodisiac in the traditional medicine, but corroborative evidence for such effect is scarce. AIM OF THE STUDY: The pro-sexual effect of an aqueous extract of P. auritum and its possible mechanisms were analyzed in two paradigms of male sexual function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Effects of an aqueous extract of P. auritum (PA, single administration) were investigated in the fictive ejaculation, and copulatory behavior paradigms in sexually sluggish male rats. WAY 100635 (antagonist of 5-HT1A receptors), atosiban (antagonist of oxytocinergic receptors), L-NAME (inhibitor of the nitric oxide synthase) and baclofen (antagonist of GABAB receptors) were used as pre-treatments in order to investigate the role of different neurotransmitter systems in PA actions. Chemical profile of PA was determined by Gases Chromatography and Ultra Performance Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Masses Spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS). RESULTS: In males with retarded ejaculation, PA stimulated ejaculatory behavior and recovered electromyographic activity of pelvic musculature participating in seminal emission and ejaculation. All pre-treatments blocked stimulating effects of PA on the fictive ejaculation; additionally WAY 100635 interfered with PA actions on ejaculatory behavior. Safrol, apigenin dimethylether, myristicin, vaccihein A, sakuranin and sakuranetin flavonoids, were main constituents of PA, with possible participation in its pro-sexual effects. CONCLUSIONS: Pro-sexual effects of P. auritum elicited at level of ejaculation were mediated by several neurotransmitter systems, among which serotonin and its 5-HT1A receptors play an important role. Present findings support P. auritum reputation as an aphrodisiac, with potential use in delayed ejaculation disorder.

Chemically characterised extract of Saraca asoca improves the sexual function in male Wistar rats.

In this study, methanolic extract of Saraca asoca bark was evaluated for its aphrodisiac potential using male and female Wistar albino rats. Male rats were dosed daily for 54 days at a dose of 100 mg/kg p.o. Sexual activity of male rats was assessed after 14, 28, 42 and 54 days of the study. Male rats were placed in a glass chamber lit with a dim red light (10W) followed by the introduction of sexually receptive female rats in a ratio of 1:1. Improvement in sexual behaviour of male rats was characterised by an increase in both mount frequency and intromission frequency and decrease or reduction in mount latency and intromission latency compared to normal control. After completion of the study, the effect of the S. asoca extract on sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology was also assessed. The extract of S. asoca bark was found to be safe as it did not affect these sperm parameters. From this study, it was found that methanolic extract of S. asoca bark plays a role in enhancing sexual behaviour and potential without causing reproductive toxicity.

Aphrodisiac Activity of an Aqueous Extract of Wood Ear Mushroom, Auricularia polytricha (Heterobasidiomycetes), in Male Rats.

Auricularia polytricha is a popular mushroom found all over the world. In this study we considered the effect of an aqueous extract of A. polytricha (AEAP) on restoring sexual performance parameters to normal, evaluated by considering observations of sexual behavior. At 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 days, the following parameters of sexual performance were identified before and throughout the observations: mount latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, mounting frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency, and postejaculatory interval. Treatment of rats under stress with AEAP showed promising effects on overcoming stress-induced sexual dysfunction, on sexual performance, and on accessory sexual organs and body weight. Mounting latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, and postejaculatory interval parameters were significantly decreased by AEAP, whereas mounting frequency, intromission frequency, and ejaculation frequency were significantly increased by AEAP. These properties were identified in sexually dynamic and indolent male rats. We conclude that AEAP has a potent aphrodisiac activity.

A new magnetic nanodiamond/graphene oxide hybrid (Fe3O4@ND@GO) material for pre-concentration and sensitive determination of sildenafil in alleged herbal aphrodisiacs by HPLC-DAD system.

A sensitive analytical methodology was investigated to concentrate and determine of sildenafil citrate (SLC) present at trace level in herbal supplementary products. The proposed method is based on simple and sensitive pre-concentration of SLC by using magnetic solid phase extraction with new developed magnetic nanodiamond/graphene oxide hybrid (Fe3O4@ND@GO) material as a sorbent. Experimental variables affecting the extraction efficiency of SLC like; pH, sample volume, eluent type and volume, extraction time and amount of adsorbent were studied and optimized in detail. Determination of sildenafil citrate after magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) was carried out by HPLC-DAD system. The morphology, composition, and properties of the synthesized hybrid material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), Raman spectrometry (Raman), X-ray diffraction spectrometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mapping photographs, zeta potential analyzer, and BET surface area analysis. Under optimized conditions, linear range was ranged from 5.00 to 250.00 ng mL-1 with R2 of 0.9952. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.49 ng mL-1 and the recoveries at two spiked levels were ranged from 94.0 to 104.1% with the relative standard deviation (RSD) < 7.1% (n = 5). The enhancement factor (EF) was 86.9. The results show that the combination MSPE with HPLC-DAD is a suitable and sensitive method for the determination of SLC in real samples.

In vitro and in vivo aphrodisiac properties of the seed extract from Allium tuberosum on corpus cavernosum smooth muscle relaxation and sexual behavior parameters in male Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Allium tuberosum is a well-known spice as well as a herb in traditional Chinese medicine, used for increasing libido and treating erectile dysfunction. However, not many studies have been done to evaluate the sexual enhancing properties of A. tuberosum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aphrodisiac and vasorelaxant properties of A. tuberosum on corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) as well as checking the effect on enhancing male rat sexual behavior, libido, potency as well as its spermatogenic properties. METHOD: The seeds were powdered and sequentially extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol. Male Wistar rats were administered with graded doses of the n-BuOH extracts (ATB) of A. tuberosum (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and Viagra was used as the positive control drug. The extract/drug was administered by gastric probe once daily for 45 days and the sexual behavior was analyzed by exposing the male rats to female rats in the estrus period. RESULTS: ATB relaxed corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (68.9%) at a concentration of 200 µg/ml. The results obtained from the animal studies indicated that ATB significantly increased mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), ejaculation frequency (EF), ejaculation latency (EL) and markedly reduced post ejaculatory interval (PEI), mount latency (ML), and intromission latency (IL). Furthermore, a remarkable increase in the test for potency was observed as witnessed by marked increase in erections, quick flips, long flips and total reflex. In addition, ATB significantly improved the sperm viability and count as well as increased the concentrations of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and phosphatases in the treated animals. CONCLUSION: Thus our results suggest that A. tuberosum could stimulate sexual arousal and enhance sexual execution in male rats, thus providing valuable experimental evidence that A. tuberosum possesses sexual enhancing properties.

Comparative evaluation of the sexual functions and NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways of some aphrodisiac herbal extracts in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Mucuna pruriens, Tribulus terrestris and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) are widely known as antioxidant effective herbals and have been reported to possess aphrodisiac activities in traditional usages. In this study, we determined the effects of these herbals on sexual functions, serum biochemical parameters, oxidative stress and levels of NF-κB, Nrf2, and HO-1 in reproductive tissues. METHODS: Thirty-five male rats were divided into five groups: the control group, sildenafil-treated group (5 mg/kg/d), Mucuna, Tribulus and Ashwagandha groups. The extract groups were treated orally either with Mucuna, Tribulus or Ashwagandha (300 mg/kg b.w.) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: All of the extracts were found to be significantly effective in sexual functioning and antioxidant capacity and Tribulus showed the highest effectiveness. Serum testosterone levels significantly increased in Tribulus and Ashwagandha groups in comparison to control group. Tribulus was able to reduce the levels of NF-κB and increase the levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 to a much greater extent than Mucuna and Ashwagandha. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate for the first time that Mucuna, Tribulus and Ashwagandha supplementation improves sexual function in male rats via activating Nrf2/ HO-1 pathway while inhibiting the NF-κB levels. Moreover, Tribulus terrestris extract was found to be more bioavailable from Ashwagandha extract followed by Mucuna extract. Schematic representation of the mode of action of some aphrodisiac herbal extracts to improve sexual functions.

Moringa oleifera extract enhances sexual performance in stressed rats.

Aphrodisiacs are required to improve male sexual function under stressful conditions. Due to the effects of oxidative stress and dopamine on male sexual function, we hypothesized that Moringa oleifera leaves might improve male sexual dysfunction induced by stress. Therefore, the effects on various factors playing important roles in male sexual behavior, such as antioxidant effects, the suppression of monoamine and phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) activities, serum testosterone and corticosterone levels, and histomorphological changes in the testes, of a hydroethanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves were investigated. Various doses of extract including 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg body weight (BW) were given orally to male Wistar rats before exposure to 12 h-immobilization stress for 7 d. The results demonstrated that the extract showed both antioxidant and monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) suppression activities. At 7 d of treatment, the low dose of extract improved sexual performance in stress-exposed rats by decreasing intromission latency and increasing intromission frequency. It also suppressed PDE-5 activity, decreased serum corticosterone level, but increased serum testosterone, numbers of interstitial cells of Leydig and spermatozoa. The increased numbers of interstitial cells of Leydig and spermatozoa might have been due to the antioxidant effect of the extract. The increased sexual performance during the intromission phase might have been due to the suppression of MAO-B and PDE-5 activities and increased testosterone. Therefore, M. oleifera is a potential aphrodisiac, but further research concerning the precise underlying mechanisms is still needed.

Effects of Dracaena arborea (Dracaenaceae) on sexual dysfunction in 4 weeks hyperglycemic male rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Dracaena arborea (D. arborea) on the sexual behavior parameters in experienced type-1 diabetic rats. METHODS: Aqueous and ethanol (100 and 500 mg/kg respectively) extracts of dried root barks of D. arborea, sildenafil citrate (1.44 mg/kg), trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO, 20 mg/kg) and distilled water (10 mL/kg) were orally administered to 4 weeks streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Mount latency and frequency (ML, MF), intromission latency and frequency (IL, IF) and post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) were measured by ejaculatory series during 90 min once a week for 4 weeks. Glycemia was determined at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. RESULTS: D. arborea did not show any major antihyperglycemic effects. Compared to the control group, a significant (P<0.05-0.001) increase in MF and IF was noticed in rats treated with sildenafil citrate (89.71% and 90.07% respectively), aqueous (500 mg/kg, 88.08% and 88.74% respectively) and ethanol (100 mg/kg; 89.53% and 89.17 respectively) extracts of D. arborea after two weeks (series 1) of treatment. ML, IL and PEI were significantly (P<0.05-0.001) decreased after 4 weeks of daily treatment [sildenafil citrate (96.31, 96.31% and 34.98%), and D. arborea aqueous 500 mg/kg (94.33, 94.33% and 66.60%) and ethanol extracts 100 mg/kg (96.98, 97.08% and 64.26%)]. CONCLUSIONS: These aphrodisiac potentials of D. arborea in experienced diabetic rats could be due to the antioxidant and androgenic properties of phenols, flavonoids, saponins and sterols revealed in the plant extracts.

[Sexuality, heart and chocolate]. / Sexualité, coeur et chocolat.

All along the history, many kinds of magic and aphrodisiac properties were attributed to the chocolate. Because of the presence of certain active substances, cacao and chocolate are supposed to have some potentially beneficial effects on human health, particularly on cardiovascular system. Containing flavoniods, cacao and its products have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, antihypertensive and neuroprotective effects, as well as influence on insulin sensitivity, vascular endothelial function, and activation of nitric oxide. Other molecules, like methyxantin, biogenic amines and cannabinoid-like fatty acids, may have a psychoactive action. Synergic effect of all these substances could have a positive direct and indirect influence on sexual health and function. Nevertheless, randomized studies are needed to confirm these hypotheses and to elaborate recommendations about cacao consumption.

Current evaluation of the millennium phytomedicine- ginseng (II): Collected chemical entities, modern pharmacology, and clinical applications emanated from traditional Chinese medicine.

This review, a sequel to part 1 in the series, collects about 107 chemical entities separated from the roots, leaves and flower buds of Panax ginseng, quinquefolius and notoginseng, and categorizes these entities into about 18 groups based on their structural similarity. The bioactivities of these chemical entities are described. The 'Yin and Yang' theory and the fundamentals of the 'five elements' applied to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are concisely introduced to help readers understand how ginseng balances the dynamic equilibrium of human physiological processes from the TCM perspectives. This paper concerns the observation and experimental investigation of biological activities of ginseng used in the TCM of past and present cultures. The current biological findings of ginseng and its medical applications are narrated and critically discussed, including 1) its antihyperglycemic effect that may benefit type II diabetics; in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated protection of ginseng on beta-cells and obese diabetic mouse models. The related clinical trial results are stated. 2) its aphrodisiac effect and cardiovascular effect that partially attribute to ginseng's bioactivity on nitric oxide (NO); 3) its cognitive effect and neuropharmacological effect that are intensively tested in various rat models using purified ginsenosides and show a hope to treat Parkinson's disease (PD); 4) its uses as an adjuvant or immunotherapeutic agent to enhance immune activity, appetite and life quality of cancer patients during their chemotherapy and radiation. Although the apoptotic effect of ginsenosides, especially Rh2, Rg3 and Compound K, on various tumor cells has been shown via different pathways, their clinical effectiveness remains to be tested. This paper also updates the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and immune-stimulatory activities of ginseng, its ingredients and commercial products, as well as common side effects of ginseng mainly due to its overdose, and its pharmacokinetics.

Structure elucidation of thioketone analogues of sildenafil detected as adulterants in herbal aphrodisiacs.

Two analogues of sildenafil were detected in herbal dietary supplements marketed as aphrodisiacs. Both compounds were identified as thioketone analogues of sildenafil in which the carbonyl group in the pyrimidine ring of sildenafil was substituted with a thiocarbonyl group. The first compound was identified as thiosildenafil, a compound that has recently been reported as an adulterant in health supplements. The structure of the second compound was established using LC-MS, UV spectroscopy, ESI-MS(n), NMR and a hydrolytic process. A detailed study of the hydrolysis products of sildenafil, thiosildenafil, and the second unknown compound proved that the second compound, named thiomethisosildenafil, had a structure analogous to sildenafil in which the N-methylpiperazine moiety had been replaced with 2,6-dimethylpiperazine and the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group in the heterocyclic ring had been replaced with a sulfur atom. Under the hydrolytic reaction conditions employed in this study, thioketones hydrolyze to ketones (e.g., thiosildenafil-->sildenafil), making this a valuable technique for the structure elucidation of thiosildenafil analogues. Ten herbal dietary supplements, each as a capsule dosage form, were found to contain 8-151 mg of thiomethisosildenafil per capsule, and one herbal dietary supplement was found to contain 35 mg of thiosildenafil per capsule.

Effects of Microdesmis keayana roots on sexual behavior of male rats.

In the present study, the aphrodisiac properties of Microdesmis keayana J. Léonard root extract and major isolated alkaloids were evaluated by observing the sexual behavior of male rats. Aqueous extract (150mg/kg body weight) and pure alkaloids (3mg/kg body weight) were administered orally by gavage to male rats. Latent times of observation, intromission and ejaculation, mounting behavior, number of intromissions and mating performances were evaluated and compared to those obtained with untreated rats in the presence of receptive and non-receptive females. The results have shown that aqueous extract and alkaloids of M. keayana stimulate sexual parameters in rats' sexual behavior. A short-term toxicity study undertaken to establish the therapeutic index of aqueous extract, showed that a high dose of the extract (2g/kg body weight) caused no mortality or changes in rats' behavior.

Classification of commercial Catuaba samples by NMR, HPLC and chemometrics.

For over a century, Catuaba has been used in Brazilian folk medicine as an aphrodisiac even though the identity of the plant material employed is often uncertain. The species recommended by the Brazilian Pharmacopeia is Anemopaegma arvense (Bignoniaceae), but many other plants, regionally known as Catuaba, are commercialised. Frequently, the quality control of such a complex system is based on chemical markers that do not supply a general idea of the system. With the advent of the metabolomics approach, a global analysis of samples becomes possible. It appears that (1)H-NMR is the most useful method for such application, since it can be used as a wide-spectrum chemical analysis technique. Unfortunately, the generated spectra is complex so a possible approach is to look at the metabolite profile as a whole using multivariate methods, for example, by application of principal component analysis (PCA). In the present paper, we describe for the first time a proton high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-HR-MAS NMR) method coupled with PCA for the metabolomic analysis of some commercial Catuaba samples, which provided a reduction in the time required for such analysis. A comparative study of HPLC, HR-MAS and liquid-NMR techniques is also reported.

Free serum testosterone level in male rats treated with Tribulus alatus extracts.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Tribulus alatus extracts on free serum testosterone in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Free serum testosterone level was measured in male rats treated with alcoholic extracts of the aerial part without fruits, fruits of Tribulus alatus and their fractions. RESULTS: All tested extracts showed significant increase in the level of free serum testosterone when compared to that of corresponding control, p < 0.05. Statistical comparison of all groups revealed that the maximum level was found in groups treated with chloroformic and ethanolic fractions of fruits extract. CONCLUSION: Tribulus alatus extract appears to possess aphrodisiac activity due to its androgen increasing property.